Noted Theologian Dr. Thomas Groome to Speak in Dubuque

posted on August 15, 2007

Clarke College, the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Resurrection Parish, and Silver Burdett Ginn Religion will host nationally recognized theologian Dr. Thomas Groome in Dubuque on Wednesday, Aug. 22, and Thursday, Aug. 23. Groome will speak at the Church of the Resurrection on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. He will then conduct a daylong workshop at Clarke on Thursday for College’s faculty and staff.

Groome is a professor of theology and religious education at Boston College and is director of the College’s Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry. The author of “What Makes Us Catholic,” he explores what it means to be Catholic and the common sense of spirituality he believes is shared by all Catholics.

An expert in religious education, Groome’s book “Christian Religious Education” is the most widely used textbook of religious education in theologates, seminaries and pastoral institutes, both Catholic and Protestant. Its translations are used widely throughout the world.

In past 30 years, Groome has given over 600 presentations, including keynote addresses at all the major conferences of religious educators in North America. He has also guest lectured at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Emory, Chicago, Claremont, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Villanova and Fordham. He has appeared on many local and national television channels and radio programs including CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and RTE and has presented throughout the world.

Groome completed seminary education at St. Patrick’s College, Carlow, Ireland and went on to receive a master of arts degree in religious education from Fordham College and a doctorate in theology and education from Union Theological Seminary and Columbia College Teachers College in New York.

For more information, contact the Clarke College Public Relations Office at (563)588-6318.